Bye-bye, rangefinder

[AsahiPentax]

I bought a Canonet QL17 GIII a couple of months ago. It was akward at first, and I gave it some time, thinking I'd eventually get used to, and (hopefully) enjoy shooting with it. Well, a good amount of time has passed, and I hate how it feels in my hands, and I hate the lack of manual control. Also I know my SLRs like the back of my hand, and I prefer the little extra bulk they have. I realize that I could buy a manual RF, but I'm getting more and more into paintball, and I'm surviving off of $10 a week allowance due to the lack of lawns to mow. Goodbye, RFF, I have enjoyed my time here.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

I thought the GIII allowed for manual control?

Oh well, sell it here. There are many fans of that camera and it's lens.

 

[AsahiPentax]

I know the QL17 has manual control, but I like to actually see if the shot is correctly metered in the viewfinder. In other words, I'm too lazy to do a little math 😛

GIII's operate in manual. The meter doesn't. But, it's no biggie to pick up a cheap handheld meter.

Thanks for the tip, but why buy another piece of equipment to fumble with? My ME Super is almost as compact as the QL17 and I can go from manual to automatic with the flip of a switch. By the way, I'm not trying to bash RFF, you guys are great and helpful

 

[RML]

This is new! Scores have joined because of the rf cameras. Some have left because of "personal" issues. But I've never heard of anyone leaving because of rf cameras.

Sad to see you go, AsahiPentax, but enjoy your photography for many years to come!

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi and goodbye,
You will always be welcome back if your interest is rekindled and funds permit. I have been a Pentax user for over 30 years. It takes a little getting used to RF's but it is a whole new experience. One of the older Canonets or Konica S2 would feel much more like the Pentax if you decide to try.

Kim

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Don't give up!

Don't give up!

You *will* regret not having a 35mm rangefinder camera.
When you decide to replace it, look at the Olympus 35RC.

It's a very nice compact 35mm rangefinder
with a unique combination of great features.

The shutter speed dial is located on the top cover.
IMO this makes it handle much more like your SLR.

It has AE and full metered manual exposure modes,
with aperture & shutter speed displayed in finder.

Good lens, too. Cheap and plentiful used...

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I mowed a lot of lawns in 1969 to buy an $80 Minolta Hi-Matic 9 and delivered a lot of papers in 1970 to by a $120 Argus/Cosina STL1000.

When the grass is greener, you'll have more disposable income. Sell the Canonet if you do not like it. You will find that for existing light shots, it has advantages over the SLR. I kept and used my RF after getting the SLR. Even after I hit High School.

 

[clarence]

Hello,

Perhaps it's a matter of what you spend most of your time photographing. I started building up my M42 system for the sake of versatility, but now I'm spending 2/3rds of my photography time in dim bars where even a lens opened to f1.4 won't let me focus properly (maybe it's my eyes). Rangefinders just do some jobs better than SLRs do, and vice versa. You might consider just keeping that rangefinder in the closet for the days when an SLR just won't do.

Clarence

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

I started building up my M42 system for the sakeofversatility, but now I'm spending 2/3rds of my photography time indimbars where even a lens opened to f1.4 won't let me focusproperly(maybe it's my eyes).

This young man will not likely be hanging out in bars soon. 😉

At least I hope not.

 

[clarence]

Hello Bob,

I'm sorry but how is it that some of the words in your quotation of my previous message are tailgating each other?

Or am I missing the joke?

Clarence

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

no joke here, since the new server setup has been in place a lot of myposts lose word spacing at random. Especially when I quote other'sposts or edit my own.

I'm not sure what is happening. Maybe I need to point it out to Jorge. I've seen it happening in other's posts as well.

 

[AsahiPentax]

This young man will not likely be hanging out in bars soon. 😉

At least I hope not.

Um, actually I will be shooting my uncle's wedding reception in a bar. Don't ask 🙄

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Well Then! Perfect Place to use the Canonet as Backup!

And ask him for some extra film for the work.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

An uncle's reception is one thing. No Drinks (virgin mary maybe) for you pal! 🙂

 

[AsahiPentax]

Well Then! Perfect Place to use the Canonet as Backup!

And ask him for some extra film for the work.

I'm not going to be "the kid with the camera", I will be the wedding photographer. I'm getting payed and I'll try to be as close to professional as possible. I might just hang on to it for a while longer, but if I don't like it soon it's going on eBay

 

[Jeff_S]

Good luck!

Jeff

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Jeff, Good for You!

Family and friends normally expect services for free, and your lucky to get the film paid for.

 

[AsahiPentax]

Thanks for all of your support, guys. I think I'll stay for a little while longer 🙂

 

[oftheherd]

If nothing else, you will find what you already know. There is no other forum with as many knowledgable folk who are as easy to get along with. My first thought is to say if economics allow, keep it as a backup body, if for no other reason. That is what got me my first rf.

Interesting that you don't like it though. I used only one rf for years; a Mamiya Super Press 23. I have been experimenting with 35mm rf again. I am not as happy with it as I thought I would be. That has been fascinating to me also. I still have no problem with the MF, and am not against 35mm rf, I am just not really comfortable with it either. I am using one every time I can just to try and find out why. It seems to do with focusing. I got really good with the SLRs. Even in very low light. I learned to focus away from the center and seek back and forth somewhat like an autofocus system might do. I also use some folders that require I estimate distance. I learned that long before I got into SLRdom as that was the type of camera I used after I got away from box cameras. Folders don't bother me either. In fact, I kind of like them.

If I get that figured out I may post a thread on it. However, I am not giving up my 35mm rf, at least not yet. Nor am I leaving this forum. Too much knowledge, and too many good folk. Even if you decide you don't like 35rf much, you might want to consider that. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[oftheherd]

Yessir, I sure am. Of the several 35mm rf I have, it is my favorite. If for any reason that I can't contemplate now, I decided to get rid of the other 35mm rf, that little baby would not leave. It really is neat!

I am getting used to it, but it hasn't been as easy as I thought. That has puzzled me since I am not new to rf. But all that said, I do enjoy using it. Curious to be though is that I haven't wanted to put down all my other cameras now that I have it. 😉